HP All-In-One Printers need ink to Scan

Yes, you read that correctly. The HP series of All-in-One printers ( specifically the 6110 ) needs ink cartridges to be installed and working in order to scan or send a fax.

Now why would that be? For my convenience perhaps? I don’t think so.. Much more likely it’s part of HP ( and other printer manufacturers ) strategy to ensure that the inkjet printer you buy today doesn’t last as long as that 10 year old HP LaserJet that you still have that works flawlessly to this day.

Yes folks, if HP could build a 2 year and one day self destruct mechanism into your printer, they would - and some claim that such a device is actually built into their cartridges!

For me, I had the choice today of paying about $50 for ink in the HOPE that my mysterious “Remove and Check Cartridges” error would be solved, or spending $99.95 on a new All-in-One!

The 5610 is a cheaper version of it’s older brother, but hey, I only really use it as a glorified fax and for the occasional color photo, so who cares. The new machine including ( no doubt almost empty ) starter ink cartridges now sits taking up slightly less room than the 6110 did. What a waste though.. a machine more than capable of scanning and faxing is going to the scrap heap.

$99.95 at OfficeDepot. You can’t beat that - but no doubt in 2 years and a day, I’ll be smashing it with a hammer too.